Predicting Professional Success of Air Traffic Control Personnel From Their Personality Profile at Admission to<i>Ab Initio</i>Training

Abstract

Abstract The usefulness of personality measures for predicting air traffic controllers' (ATCs) performance in addition to cognitive aptitudes was tested using NEO Personality Inventory (NEO–PI) results of 60 ATC candidates at admission to the training. Extroversion (E) and its facets Gregariousness (E2) and Positive Emotions (E6) were valid and useful negative predictors of performance over and above cognitive ability level. E, E2, and E6 added to the variance of success in career (8.2%, 12.6%, and 12.7%, respectively). E2 and E6 proved their usefulness for predicting supervisory ratings, adding significantly to the total variance (7.9% and 12.1%, respectively). Notes 1Permission to use the NEO–PI was given by Psychological Assessment Resources Inc. to Jüri Allik. *p< .05. **p< .01. ***p< .001. Note. M Stn-10 = the average stanine score of the sum of 10 singular aptitude tests. The adjusted correlations of restricted range variables for the whole air traffic controller (N = 60) sample are presented in parentheses. Correlations are given starting from the decimal points. *p< .05. *p< .05. **p< .01.